The 100th anniversary celebration kicks off at homecoming Saturday.

The 100th anniversary celebration kicks off at homecoming Saturday.

YOUNGSTOWN — Music, parades, reunions, a statue and diplomas are among the many events and items planned to celebrate Youngstown State University’s 100th anniversary.

It all begins with homecoming Saturday.

YSU traces its beginnings to 1908, when the YMCA in downtown Youngstown offered its first college-level course in commercial law. The school evolved into the Youngstown Institute of Technology, Youngstown College, Youngstown University and finally Youngstown State University.

Centennial diplomas will be presented at commencements in December and May 2008. A program on YSU’s history and its impact on the Mahoning Valley will air on WYSU-FM 88.5 in February and May.

An academic symposium on “The Automobile in Our Culture” is scheduled for April, and a life-size, bronze sculpture of Howard W. Jones, the institution’s first president, will be unveiled in May.

Here is a listing of some of the key events planned so far until the end of the year:

USaturday: Homecoming, Stambaugh Stadium and environs. Parade at 2 p.m. with grand marshal Helen Stambaugh, a longtime YSU supporter; alumni terrace dinner, 2:45 p.m.; YSU vs. Illinois State football game, 4 p.m., program booklet celebrating YSU’s Centennial and the 25th anniversary of Stambaugh Stadium will be distributed at the game; performance of a portion of an original music composition created specifically for the centennial, halftime; centennial celebration clock countdown, halftime; Homecoming king and queen crowned, halftime.

USaturday: Black alumni chapter tailgate.

USunday: Half-century lunch. Alumni celebrating the 50th anniversary of graduation from Youngstown University, noon, DeBartolo Stadium Club.

UOct. 27: YSU celebrates the publication of the 200th scientific paper of Dr. Janet E. Del Bene, professor emeritus of chemistry, 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the DeBartolo Stadium Club. Invitation only.

UNov. 10: Student tailgate party.

UNov. 20: Grand opening of the YSU archives display at Maag Library, 3 p.m.; university/community dinner, 7 p.m.

UNov. 23: University Scholars Reunion at the MVR, 410 N. Walnut St., 5 p.m.

UDec. 5: Dana School of Music presents “Carols and Cocoa” and the annual Dana Holiday Concert at Stambaugh Auditorium.

UDec. 16: YSU winter commencement in Beeghly Center, 2 p.m., featuring centennial diplomas.